COST OF LIVING

Otago Witness, Issue 3211, 29 September 1915, Page 79

COST OF LIVING

LEGISLATION PROMISED. STATEMENT BY AIR MASSEY. WELLINGTON. September 15. In reply to a question in the House of Representatives this afternoon the Prime Minister said, if it was the desire of the House to discuss the question of the cost of living, ho would be glad to give them an opportunity to do so, but ho thought the subject • had been sultieiently discussed, and it was desirable to bring the session to a close as soon a,s possible Mr Hornsby said he hoped an earnest attempt would be made to reduce the cost of Lving. If , the House adjourned without something being done in this direction members would be totally disgraced. Dr Thacker said it was one of the vaunted boasts when the National Cabinet was formed that the cost of living would bo dealt with. The Trentham camp question was an important one, but that of the cost of living was more important, and he would bo greatly disappointed if it wae not fully considered. , , Mr M'Coiribs said it was not a.cno the members of the Liberal Party who expressed the hope that the cost of living would bo dealt with when the National Government was formed. The Labour Party was equally anxious to sec this done, and was looking for some practical proposals from the Government along the lines of the suggestions made by both wings of the Opposition Mr Isitt said that, if any excessive financial strain was going to develop in the dominion, it would oo so between now and next session. Ho felt that Parliament should not adjourn until it had done everything in its power to reduce the cost of living. , , ~ Dr Newman heartily supported the opinion' expressed by Mr Isitt. The fact was, the cost of living was rising every clay, and it was a serious matter with many people. Ho protested against the remaining undealt with when Parliament closed. Air Hine said it was all very well to talk of reducing the cost of living, but that could not bo done without considering the cost of production. The cost of living could mot bo wholly settled by a legal enactment. Mr Walker said the cost of living must be faced seriously, because it was _an election cry, and the people were looking to the House to keep faith with them in this reSP Mr Payne said ho objected to legislators taking a' holiday until the question of the cost of living was seriously consider, eu. Air Alasscy said he had been listening very carefully for a practical suggestion by which the cost of living might be_ reduced, but so far he had not heard one this session. A* any suggestions had been made, but npt one that would bo of any service to the_ Government. Paper money and the fixing ot maximum prices was of no use, and would ruin the finest country in the world. -'no Government intended to introduce a Bill this session in the form of an amendment to tiie Commercial Trusts Act, and when it camo down he felt sure members would rccogmso it as a good Bill.